The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (8530042) Corporal Ashley Birt, 1st Topographical Survey Squadron, Afghanistan.

Places
Accession Number PAFU2015/462.01
Collection type Film
Object type Last Post film
Physical description 16:9
Maker Australian War Memorial
Place made Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, Campbell
Date made 12 November 2015
Access Open
Conflict Afghanistan, 2001-2021
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (8530042) Corporal Ashley Birt, 1st Topographical Survey Squadron, Afghanistan.

Film order form
Speech transcript

8530042 Corporal Ashley Birt, 1st Topographical Survey Squadron
KIA 29 October 2011
No photograph in collection – supplied by family

Story delivered 12 November 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Corporal Ashley Birt, who was killed serving in Afghanistan.

Ashley Craig Birt was born in April 1989, the younger of two sons of Don and Linda Birt of Gympie, Queensland. Ash, or “Birty” as he was known by his friends, grew up in Gympie where he attended Gympie Central Primary and Gympie State High School. He excelled on the hockey field, and left a lasting impression on everyone he played with or against. As well as a number of representative sides, Birt played for Cooloola Heat and Maryborough Brothers in the Gympie and Maryborough Hockey competitions, known as a larrikin on and off the field. Today the Gympie and Maryborough Hockey Clubs hold an annual inter-club shield in his honour.

Birt also built a rental property, loved his Honda Accord, and enjoyed mountain biking, sky diving, touch football, and socialising with his mates over a few beers. Those who knew him fondly recall his infectious giggle, cheeky nature, and love of life.

Birt followed his brother, Dale, into the army and enlisted in June 2007. He undertook specialist training at the School of Military Engineering in Sydney and qualified as a geospatial technician. Posted to the 1st Topographical Survey Squadron at Enoggera, near Brisbane, he deployed to the Solomon Islands in July 2010 and afterwards helped provide aid and emergency services to Queensland’s flood-affected areas. There he was crucial in maintaining the spirits of his mates during a trying time. Birt was recognised for his natural leadership style, maturity, hard work ethic, and dedication to his trade. Within two months he was nominated for a soldiers’ medallion and was twice promoted.

Birt was a highly skilled and professional soldier who formed an important part of the 1st Topographical Survey Squadron. He deployed to Afghanistan in May 2011, forming part of Combined Team Uruzgan as it attempted to help bring peace and stability to the province and to improve the lives of the local population. Part of this mission involved mentoring the Afghan National Army to take a more active role in maintaining peace and security against the Taliban insurgents. In October 2011 he left the multinational base at Tarin Kot for the remote Forward Operating Base at Sorkh Bed in neighbouring Kandahar province.

Four days later, on the morning of 29 October 2011, Birt was dismissed from a routine parade when a rogue Afghan National Army soldier opened fire on a cluster of Australian soldiers, wounding ten before being killed by Australian troops. Ashley Birt was one of three soldiers killed. He died instantly, aged just 22.

Dale Birt was serving in Afghanistan at the time and escorted his brother’s body back to Australia, where the loss of such a well-liked and respected member of their community devastated the people of Gympie. A memorial service was held at the local pavilion, attended by more than 2,000 people, and Birt was buried with full military honours at the Gympie Cemetery.

Ashley Birt was a dedicated soldier and an accomplished sportsman who succeeded in everything he attempted. He was a natural leader, and his army mates have recounted feeling privileged to have known and served alongside him. A loving son, devoted brother, wonderful uncle, and a loyal friend, he is sorely missed by his parents, Don and Linda, and his brother, Dale. Their pride in his service and sacrifice conquers the sense of loss they feel without him.

Ashley Birt is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among the more than 40 other Australians who lost their lives as a result of their service in Afghanistan. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is just one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Corporal Ashley Birt, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.

Aaron Pegram
Historian, Military History Section

  • Video of The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (8530042) Corporal Ashley Birt, 1st Topographical Survey Squadron, Afghanistan. (video)